PAPER MILLS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 19, 2 June 1939, Page 5

PAPER MILLS

1 O - , IIOLD-U P IN rRODUCTION, ' NEW FELT AWAITED ? A considerable number of employees' of theWhakatanc Paper Milis Ltd have been laid off temporarily, but it is stated thai their re-engage, me n't will follow , n a week or so. Officials of the company say that this step was taken owing to the nocessitjf to suspend the company's op. orations in the production of cardbo.ard while awaiting the «irrival of a new felt for the board-making machine. It is'stated that the huge conveyor felt which carries the pulp through the machine, has under normal conditions; a life of about eight months, but that the one at present installed has deteriorated rapidly and that its life has been only about-two months. The cause of the deterioration, is th-? fact tfhat it has been necessary to operate the machine with men who wCre; being trained to the job, and that their natural inexperience has caused stresses to. be placed on the l'elt. Excessive temperatures iu the drying 'cylinders and ' other factors have fllso played their part, butcan be traced to. conditions which are' being overcome. - . ; A- new felt is expected from Australia within about ten days, and its arrival will enable ; *»vork to be resumed. It is stated that the machine itself is in perfect order and the remainder of the plant is giving every satisfaction.-